Seattle University is deeply saddened to learn about allegations involving victims of deceased Jesuit faculty member Father Michael Toulouse in a lawsuit filed in the King County Superior Court on July 11.

The suit has been filed on behalf of eight men who claim that during the 1950s and 1960s Toulouse abused them when they were minors, and named the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus and Seattle University as co-defendants.

Seattle University views the allegations against the university very seriously.

At Seattle University, we have zero tolerance for any sexual abuse of a minor.

At this point in time, it would not be appropriate to address or speculate on issues related to the lawsuit as the matter is pending in the court.

For more information, please contact Barbara Nombalais, Marketing and University Communications, at benomba@seattleu.edu.

The university has a confidential telephone number to which persons may report misconduct or abuse they may have experienced at Seattle University. The number is (206) 296-6272 or reports may be filed online at www.seattleu.edu/victimassistance.

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Seattle University, founded in 1891, is a Jesuit Catholic university located on 48 acres on Seattle's Capitol Hill. More than 7,000 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within eight schools. U.S. News and World Report's "Best Colleges 2007" ranks Seattle University among the top 10 schools in the West that offer a full range of masters and undergraduate programs.